The Blue Marilyn Dress pt 3 – Finished!

My flowery Marilyn dress! I’m in love! AND the seller has made a multi sized version of the pattern, and corrected the quirks! HERE’s the link, not sponsored, paid, anything like that.

In conclusion:

I took the lower bodice in a lot, added a bit to the upper bust part, lowered the bust darts, added darts to make a closer fit around the top part of my bust, and shortened the straps almost 10 cm. I should probably have raised the waist a bit as well rather than only shortening the straps, but hell no were I going to pick out that top stitched gathered 4 m of skirt!

Over all I’m incredibly proud and happy about the outcome, I have not had any 100% satisfying tailoring result lately so this was both a relief and most of all – FUN.

The Blue Marilyn Dress pt. 2

I’ve taken the lower bodice in ~16 cm. Added 3 cm over the bust and pinched a dart out on the upper part on the side of le boobage. It looks a bit to pinched but I kind of liked the slight cleavage it gave me. After trying the mock up on again I realised I would get an EXCELLENT lift if I moved the shoulder straps out of my armpit. Like, to where they’re supposed to be. 

All I could think at this point was ”I cut it I cut it OMG I actually cut it”

First somewhat proper try on. There were tears.

The Blue Marilyn Dress

Greetings Earthlings!

I have been having a Major Life Crisis since splitting with my ex back in august, and oh boy it has been a JOURNEY so far. Of course it reflects on my crafting and my personal style, and I feel the NEED and URGE to try out all the things I felt like I couldn’t before. I have also realised that my slight aversion against all things traditionally feminine has its derivation from internalised misogyny rather than anything else. This feels quite shite to be honest and I want to start combat it right now. So, I will attempt to make a version of the blue dress Marilyn Monroe wears when photographed with Arthur Miller in 1957. In white, floral, water colour-y, fabric from Fabric Godmother. 

I will be using a vintage pattern that is available as a PDF, Advanced 9077. I have bought and cut size 16 = 41″/105 cm bust. And we have WORK to do. Here’s the first mock up of the bodice.

The size 16 has a waist of 34″ and mine is 30-31″, which causes the too big under and side bodice to gape and rise above my boobs. It’s definitely not containing them as it should.

Here we have two pictures of me just holding the excess fabric in the back, and in the last picture I have scooped my assets up best I can to the right position.

Since the upper bust section meets the side seam on top I’m entertaining the idea of taking a dart out at the side seam, not sewing a dart but rather cutting away a triangle. I also have the back zipper seam to take a bite from.

The dart is French, and I have absolutely not clue about how to alter it. I think I’d like it a bit lower, and wider apart, but since a gathered piece will cover it all I’m not sure I’m even bothered. The point that is currently VERY pointy could be completely covered by the gathers. I could use a tiny bit extra room in the upper bust section, it’s a bit pancake-boob-warning atm, but we’ll see how and if a well fitted lower portion changes it first.

Weekend Make – CC Nettie!

Aaah, Nettie… My dress dream come true.

Made mostly in size 12. I graded out to size 14 over the bust portion on the front and back, but in hindsight I probably should have made it slightly larger on the front and omitted the grading on the back, it is a little bit big in the back and a tiny bit to small over the ladies. Because of the grading, I had to cut the sleeves in size 14, and they too are a bit big.

(As always my measurements are in the About section.)

Being so easy and just pure pleasure to sew, I can see a lot of Netties in my future!

Summer Memories

Hiya!

#BPSewember reminded me of a project I never shared here! It’s the 1940’s Tea dress from Sew Over It and I made it to wear for my friends wedding. Every single technique was new to me and I also had to do both an FBA and a swayback adjustment. Yes, I cried. I’d worn it a few hours for the ceremony when the photo was taken so it’s a bit wrinkly. Church benches are not kind to fabric.

It has its issues, that’s for sure. I struggled with the pattern, like when it tells you to gather the bust piece ”between the two marks” but there’s three identical marks on the pattern piece. I chose the wrong ones and have some not so pretty bags going on on the sides. I didn’t realize until most of the dress was constructed and I was not, never, no chance, taking it apart again. It’s not that noticeable when I move, but I will sew some small darts there, some day. I found no marks for lengthening or shortening the bodice/cups, and no information at all on where it might be appropriate to do so. The feeling when the skirt lined up with the bodice was oh so good. God knows I needed that win.

Nothing has ever laid so flat on my back. 7,5 cm in total was pinched out, 2,5 cm above and 5 cm below the waistline. I would like to make this dress again because it is bloody wonderful to wear. The perfect summer dress. I’ll have to rework and experiment with the FBA though, so it’s not happening any time soon. Still healing from the battle a little.

I’ve however recently made a Mélilot shirt from Deer and Doe, more on that later!